User:TenTonParasol/Nirgilis

The letter from Nanni to Ea-nasir, also known as tablet UET V 81,^[a] is an inscribed clay tablet dating to 1750 BCE and excavated in Ur, now held by the British Museum. The tablet bears a letter written in the cuneiform script of the Akkadian language from a customer Nanni to the merchant Ea-nasir complaining that the copper ingots Ea-nasir promised were of the incorrect grade, that Nanni's servant handling the transaction was rudely treated, and that Ea-nasir delayed other deliveries. The tablet is one of many complaining about the business practices of Ea-nasir.

Description[edit]

The clay tablet is inscribed with the cuneiform script of the Akkadian language and dates to 1750 BCE. It is 11.6 centimetres (4.6 in) high, 5 centimetres (2.0 in) wide, and 2.6 centimetres (1.0 in) thick, and it is described by the British Museum as in fair condition but "slightly damaged".^[2]

Translation[edit]

The inscription is a letter from customer Nanni to the merchant Ea-nasir complaining that the copper ingots Ea-nasir promised were of the incorrect grade, that Nanni's servant sent to handle the transaction was rudely treated, and that Ea-nasir delayed other deliveries. A. Leo Oppenheim translated the tablet as:

History[edit]

The tablet was excavated from the ruins of Ur, and it was acquired by the British Museum in 1953.^[2] The tablet came to internet attention after a Reddit user posted an image of the tablet with its placard description.